Ábaka Interiores: Penélope de la Madrid's Emotional Design Practice

Penélope de la Madrid founded Ábaka Interiores in Puebla in 2001, building a multidisciplinary studio that prioritizes listening and emotional clarity. Her childhood habit of rearranging furniture evolved into a career spanning residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. Notable works include Casa Restauro, which won a Prisma award; Señorita Caruso, a coffee shop in a 17th-century viceregal building in Puebla's historic center; Hecho Forma · Salón de Diseño Mexicano, where color challenged exhibition neutrality; and Luzencia, a restaurant in a heritage house in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán. Originally from Culiacán, Sinaloa, de la Madrid now lives in Puebla, drawing inspiration from contrasts. Her approach treats design as emotional structure, not static composition, and she emphasizes team culture and continuous learning. Glocal Design Magazine's issue 89, 'Visionarias del espacio,' features 15 female architects and interiorists, including de la Madrid, with covers by Prince Láuder and Jimena Estíbaliz.